A fresh view of ALIISA in its final symposium

Mirja & Elina: “We had the unique chance to take part in the ALIISA final symposium in Vienna. As music teachers, we both have a lot of experience of working with students with special needs, and it was great to meet people who totally put ALL IN in their work with inclusion.”

E: “It was heart-warming to meet people who are so dedicated to their vision. I felt privileged to be a part of this society for even one day. Before the meeting started, I read the English abstract of best practice experiences from the ALIISA project (made by our hosts in Austria), and from the first sentence I felt like finally I’m meeting people, who think the same way about these things!”

M: “Yes! It was inspiring to see so many people, who are constantly working on inclusion and equality in the field of arts and art education.”

E: “I felt inspired by the intensity of the conversation and argumentation – these people really speak for concrete actions on changing the attitudes.”

M: “For me, one of the comments I truly appreciated was the one of a senior teacher. She encouraged especially young teachers to bravely listen to their hearts and work by own way – even though it was different from what we are used to.”

E: “The symposium was a combination of arts and science. The results of this project showed how working together with artistic methods can also enhance social inclusion. I had a chance to experience it myself as I took part in a dance workshop, where a special dancer from an inclusive dance studio “Ich bin O.K.” worked as a teacher guided by a professional. And it was impressive to see how talented the dancers and their teacher were. Both the pedagogic and the artistic level of the workshop were super high! The whole day was an intensive course of German language for me, since nearly all presentations were in German, as well as the dance workshop. But the language of dance is universal (and uniting!). I had no problem following the instructions and body language although my German is below the basics.”

M: ”The language of music and visual arts is also universal. I enjoyed very much the performance of the inclusive band with a light installation. It was touching to see how intensively different persons played and sang the music together. Also, this small concert was musically and pedagogically performed very high-quality, and I liked the way they used the visual arts as part of it.”

E: ”Since we have not been part of this project from the beginning, we got to be the “fresh eyes” to observe what has been created, developed and produced in three years. In addition to the new way to work and think, the project crew has created a beautiful international network of friendship. By hugging each other in the morning the workgroup creates an inspiring atmosphere where new ideas can freely fly around, meet each other, become deeper and finally turn into actions.”

M: ”And now, when seeds of inclusive art pedagogy have been cultivated with the ALIISA project, they have to be watered in order to grow and not to dry out. We need to cherish this vision and maintain a network of people to send the message of inclusion and its extensive impact on so many fields of life.”

E: “At the end of our visit to Vienna I have made a significant progress in my German skills! A sentence that made me happy so many times is something that perfectly summarizes the idea of ALIISA project. I think it will be the new motto for us when a new school year starts in August.”

M & E: “ALLES ZUSAMMEN!“

Authors:
Mirja Juvonen, MA.
Elina Lehikoinen, MA, MSc. The writers work as music teachers in Kuopio Conservatory (FI).

"Inclusive artistic education - accessibility of art and culture for all"

On April 21 at Šiauliai Academy of Vilnius University, the international final conference "Inclusive artistic education - accessibility of art and culture for all" took place, where three years of experience in "Erasmus+" KA201 project "All in - International Inclusive Society in the Arts (ALIISA)" was summarized.

The final conference was attended by teachers from all over Lithuania, the community of Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, and guests from abroad - up to 100 participants and 12 speakers. The leaders of the Academy, representatives of the municipality and the member of the Seimas (parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania, who participated in the conference, emphasized the importance of arts in the implementation of inclusive education. The great interest in inclusive arts education showed that it is a relevant topic for schools, art education and cultural institutions, and all arts teachers.

Conference speakers

Inclusive education is a priority of educational reform and school development programs in the strategic plans of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Lithuania. The main goal for all schools is to be open for everyone, to experience pupils‘ success in learning, regardless of social, cultural, or religious beliefs or disabilities and the resulting individual needs.

The participants of the conference discussed their perspectives on the implementation of inclusive education in Lithuania. The „Aliisa“ project's activities, results and perspectives of creating an international network community in the context of inclusive artistic education were presented by Prof. Dr. Diana Strakšienė and Assoc. Prof. Dr. E. Musneckienė. The opportunities of Arts Education in implementing inclusive education and learning experiences of teachers in the international context results were discussed.

Speakers of the conference shared the experience of music education in working with persons with disabilities and intercultural diversity. The National Color Music Orchestra presented a practical seminar on color teaching methodology and guests from the University of Liepaja shared practical methods of music therapy and its application in the pedagogical process.

National Color Orchestra „Guboja“ 

„Aliisa“ results and experience

In spring 2022, the "Aliisa" project continuing arts education workshop and practical training was held in Šiauliai (Lithuania) for arts teachers and students. 11 Lithuanian participants took part in the international training and deepen their theoretical knowledge, professional and special competencies, and practical abilities.

Aliisa students and teachers at Šiauliai Academy

Stanislava Rusevičienė and Laura Dudnikienė, teachers of Šiauliai Arts School, participated in the training of the "ALIISA" project. They applied the acquired knowledge in practice, working in the music studio "En-den-du" of the Šiauliai School of Arts. Only after the training ended, the war in Ukraine started and Ukrainian war refugees arrived in Lithuania. The Šiauliai School of Arts founded the day school for Ukrainian children, where the teachers of the School of Arts volunteered.

At the VU final project conference Stanislava Rusevičienė, a teacher at Šiauliai School of Arts, presented her report "Reflection of the training of the international project "ALIISA": intercultural practical experience". She stated that the fact that arts education, art, and music have great power and wide possibilities in the education, physical and emotional therapy of people of any age, different cultures, and/or exclusion. “The main task of the teachers when meeting with the children of war refugees was to provide those children with a safe environment, to offer activities that would calm them down, help at least solve emotional problems and help them integrate into the local community, build connections and relationships with their peers. Music can be an important tool in helping children cope with stress and anxiety, improve their cognitive abilities, and develop creativity and communication skills“, said Stanislava. Arts education is a very important area of inclusive education – practical artistic activities can solve some language barriers and help to engage all participants in the learning process.

Stanislava Ruseviciene

Conference participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with inspiring methods of musical education, and positive educational strategies that promote inclusion and equal opportunities when working in a multicultural environment with students of different needs.

Insight into my experience in the Erasmus+ project ALIISA: A Link between Music Education and Inclusive Pedagogy

Since November, I have had the privilege of being a project officer in the team of the Erasmus+ project ALIISA. This position allows me to combine my knowledge from my studies in Music Education and Inclusive Pedagogy, which motivated me to take this position.

My main task in the project is to conduct a final scientific study on the ALIISA project. In this study I investigated together with Mag. Phil. Dr. phil. Beate Hennenberg, I investigated the changes in teachers' competences and attitudes during the three-year Erasmus+ project. My task includes drafting interview questions, conducting interviews, transcriptions as well as processing the data with the support of retired Univ. Prof. Ulrich Kropiunigg, PhD. In the end, two scientific texts will be produced to present the results. The results will also be presented at our final symposium in Vienna on 12 June 2023.

In addition to my scientific activities, I am also responsible for organisational and administrative tasks. This includes deadline coordination, budget monitoring and organising and planning the dissemination events. It is a versatile and challenging job that allows me to strengthen my organisational skills.

This position not only offers me the opportunity to contribute to inclusive arts education, but also to gain an insight into the latest developments at European level. It fills me with joy to be part of this exciting project and to be actively involved in inclusive art education.

During my time in the ALIISA project, I have been able to build valuable networks in inclusive arts education. These networks are crucial for sharing innovative ideas and best practices. It is inspiring to work in such a warm team that works together to advance inclusive arts education.

I am grateful for the experience I have gained through my involvement in the Erasmus+ project ALIISA. This position has not only provided me with valuable expertise, but also further strengthened my passion for inclusive arts education. I look forward to the further developments and future projects and how together we can advance inclusive education in Europe.

My three-year relationship with ALIISA

Wow! Fortunately, the keynote speaker I requested, a philosopher recommended by music school colleagues in Vienna, agreed after a truly amazing conversation at Café Frauenhuber, which I read three of his recent books to prepare for last weekend! He will perform on June 12, 2023 for the Dissimination Event E2 Vienna, simultaneously Multiplier Event and Transnational Meeting. I can check that item off the calendar. So many are still open.

Several other speaker personalities were in discussion, but then some thing always prevented the conclusion. The fee, the timing, the modalities....

Our guest does not want to give a lecture, but a talk. He has further wishes, for example that he would like to hold the round table with students. I was at least able to get a teacher as another guest. OK. A colleague thinks that with him we have found a super guest for our symposium. One worry less.

What else is on the calendar? As with each of our three previous ALIISA meetings on inclusive music and arts education, including the Learning, Training, Teaching Week (LTT), held at mdw between 2020 and 2023, not only a large representative hall needs to be booked. Colleagues from Audiovisual Teaching have to be engaged, possibly two sign language interpreters have to be requested, numerous students and lecturers have to be invited, the poster has to be made with our graphic designer, the event has to be advertised in the media, and finally it has to be followed up again. Entry permits for audiences with special needs have to be ordered. Not to mention the materials that had to be organized for the LTT week and transported to another room every day. In the end, everyone pitched in and it turned out to be a successful training for everyone involved, especially the students. With the help of these, they were able to offer the specified own inclusive art education teaching units at institutions.

For the dissemination we have teamed up with the Austrian Edition, which includes LB Helga Neira Zugasty, Dr. Maria Dinold, Hana Zanin and study assistant Mag. Denise Csida, decided to hold three preliminary symposiums at the institutions of interested colleagues. We will present our results on May 5th and 6th, 2023 at the Fürth Music School, which is open to inclusion, with director and Erasmus colleague Robert Wagner, on May 9th, 2023 in a master's seminar with my colleague Ass.Prof. dr Erik Esterbauer at Orff Institute at Mozarteum Salzburg and on May 12 in the Music and Inclusion course, which my colleague Mag. Petra Linecker at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz.

Lectures on the tasks and results of the ALIISA project are planned for these preliminary symposiums, with participating teachers and students presenting. It is about exchange and further development of inclusive music making at universities and at music and art schools.

After the colleagues at VUSA Siauliai (Prof. Dr. Diana Straksiene, Dr. Edita Musneckiene) published a study on the motivations of the participating students in 2022, in 2023 the colleagues at mdw (Ass.Prof. Dr. Beate Hennenberg, Mag. Denise Csida) the task of creating an accompanying study on the perspectives of the participating teachers. It was evident that ALIISA had improved the quality of the teaching content offered. The teachers made available to the project, all experienced teachers with high additional qualifications and special training, with their unconventional and unorthodox methods, created more capacities for innovations at European universities, in art and music education and in research. The restrictions on the exchange due to Covid, which initially caused difficulties, allowed a new model of teaching and learning via Moodle and OpenEdu.

Especially with regard to the Viennese modalities, the institutional cooperation between universities and art training institutions could be structurally and sustainably justified, for example through the participation of several dance associations trained dance assistants in the inclusive music ensembles of the mdw or through the participation of students of the inclusive art education of the institute for the artistic teaching post at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Sattler) in an instrumental pedagogical inclusive course (Ass.Prof. Dr. Beate Hennenberg, Mag. BEd Christoph Falschunger).

The personal and academic development of our students involved has increased their career opportunities, for example through employment or networking.

The research and further development of inclusion into society by means of inclusive music and art education remains an important requirement even after ALIISA. A meaningful exchange between countries in the areas of education and community of values while preserving the country-specific educational culture should continue to be maintained. Because time is changing. Our students are asked to use their art to look at current social perspectives and to redefine them in human terms. Addressing new target groups in the society that are perhaps still on the fringes or involving sections of the public that have not yet been noticed in the performance of art, as we did in the course of the 4th Inclusive Sound Festival, which took place in Konzerthaus Wien, are requirements that Artists of all disciplines are provided. At best, this can result in a community of artistic citizenship that powerfully opens up new spaces for art education in society.

Most of the items on my calendar are ticked off. We have planned music and art pedagogical workshops and internships, developed a Finnish, Lithuanian and Austrian art education model, evaluated everything in between, written a curriculum for inclusive artistic education, drafted contracts, planned and written articles and finally considered a dissemination model for educational practices of inclusive art education. I thank the entire ALIISA team for your friendship. I wish the students strength, a strong network, great colleagues, a decent music school or institution and joie de vivre!

Author:
Beate Hennenberg is an assistant professor at the Institute for Music Pedagogical Research, Music Didactics and Elementary Music Making at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw), where she built up the area of inclusive music pedagogy.
Accompaniment and research of the inclusive groups All Stars inclusive and Classic All.
Several books and numerous articles on phenomena of inclusive music making as well as on historical musicological topics. The main focus of work is inclusive musical education, including music didactics and diversity in educational processes. She was involved in the Erasmus projects IPA-E and ALIISA.